Bias covered cording is SO much easier than most people think, and it’s really not scary at all! DIY cordings allows you to use matching or coordinating fabric to create the perfect accent. Simply cut the bias strips, fold them around cord filler and stitch. For a 14″x14″ pillow you will need about 64″ of bias strips, so you’ll need about 5/8 yard of 42″ wide fabric and 1 7/8 yd of 3/8″ cotton piping filler cord. Follow the steps below to make covered cord and add it to a pillow top. Add custom covered cord to any project – just measure around the piece and visit one of the many guides available online to calculate the yardage you need.

Let’s get started!

Lay your cording fabric wrong side up and flat on your work surface, selvage edges running vertically. Fold one corner over on a diagonal to create a 45° angle. (The ruler here just shows the correct angle).

Press along the diagonal fold to crease the fabric. This provides a guideline for cutting your strips.

Step 1

Step 2

Open up fabric to see the ironed crease. I’ve marked it here to make it easier for you to see.

Cut 1 1/2” wide bias strips with a rotary cutter and quilter’s ruler, or draw parallel lines and cut with scissors. I’ve switched to a solid fabric for this step.

Step 3

Step 4

Stitch the two strips together at a 45° angle to make the seam “disappear”. Lay one strip on surface, right side up. Lay second strip on top at a right angle, right side down.

Use a ruler to mark a 45° line from corner to corner. Pin and stitch strips together along the marked line, using a straight stitch.

Step 5

Step 6

Trim seam to 1/4”.

Press seam open.

Step 7

Step 8

Center cord filler on top of strip. Fold strip over firmly, matching raw edges. Pin in place. Stitch close to cord filler using a zipper foot and straight stitch, being careful not to catch cord filler. You’ve just made custom bias cording!

Step 9

Lay pillow top face up on work surface.

To reduce bulk at seam line, pull back bias strip at starting edge. Cut about 1″ off the end of cord filler.